Educational interlocking building blocks



March 26, 1957 u. TORRICELLI EDUCATIONAL INTERLOCK-ING BUILDING BLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 11, 1954 llnrl INVENTOR. UGO TORR/CELL/ A TTOENE Y March 26, 1957 u. TORRICELLI EDUCATIONAL INTERLOCKING BUILDING BLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1954 UGO TO/PR/CELL/ ATTOP/Vfy United es Patent fi rdr'iieeiiif, y ar, iii "reign: is rare'c'eui Cr'ea .o ls l'l c rporated; New York, N. Y., a c'orp'ora- 'tioii of New York Application jlllle 1-1, rsitfserial No;'4s6,092

block is or identical "cons ucti'on angu ar b'odyportion havi A projections at opposite ends, recesses in opposite sides and a eentral openin'g therethrough, the said projections recesses being in erasa e and interlockablein a plurality of'position's with the recesses and projections of every other block of the set. t

v, Buildingblocksof any different types are wen known and 'ftensive ly used as childrenst'oys. flhefirac'tic e in prodilcirig Isilch "sets islto provide a of different arid sizcs of blocks S O asltdhiake 150s bletlie ceilsitructi on'of, a variety of objects. H In some instances, the blocks are shiobth 'surfaeed so that they inerly r st'u qn or albrig'si-de one 'anotheria'nd in some 'other in sjtances connecting rod-like rnenrber'sa'rejpi ,1 which fitinto .hole or reces'es' pr'av dea h ce'rtain r the is. While snehblpeksets have'valueifor use as'toys, I tively "exp'ensiyeftbman fa'ct ir nd ordina 1 y; make it possible 'to pristine objects or structures which can be retained in the built-up form, and ithas been retina that the necessity fbr providing several different forms of blocks, t'ogetherwith "I g s when emi v ,,.i 'd dv n s ll 11d lesk h te sa r b enabling perrriaheiitbr lserniperrnanent structures to be b liilt invarious directions with great choice of block relai is, mams be a: m ter hep i' .nventi'o n to produce asemsrsrnrs o' whichvery block is identical and of waioi e e'r'yisi is c an interlocking fit in a plurality of positions with every other blocker the set.

A e h r bi 'dei tical "cbnstruction w th co sequerit ecbnom e'sllin 'i fln ti Whil t .th e 1.;t i erati nusu'a versatility for the buildin'g ofrnany diverse types of truet r s some of which cannot be built at all with available t i .1 c A more specific object of the inv a, e v b c s w e i 1. 1 wherein each block as'" ises a -r'ec rigula body portion having ribbed projections at 0ppbsite ends, lti steere re sse i c csi e si s. ;e.,. t a au t srcd e sq e i a f re hwuah zqe s m ted nd Sionedthat v r bl kis =ere le9 airletal rof hys S i i lie err l eknfif i es .willb 51.121- I led in this art or will eapp r' t grpointed, uth r in fi rn'th acc mpanyi g r wi s; 8-,} ar onee irer w owne c y d block constructed in "accordance with-the prese bn;

g. 4 is a side eleyational view'of'a plurality of blocks gl'.-2is a similar vievv 'of a ea nestness-1110f 2,786,301 Patented Mar. 26, A1957 "ice 2 aeofrdiiigftd Fi l showiii'g cer ain types drcdmietions. which can bc nia de Withiiiy'rivv block's;

5. is ijplaii View of 4; a

6 is a plan View of a plurality' of blocks illiist'ifating the niany diflerent r'elativepositions'in which'the said blocks can be inte'rfit'ted and interlocked;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing two individual blocks in the rocess offbeing interfitted in accordance with oiie mode of effecting connection'therebetweefi.

The block of Fig. 1 shows the details of constf 'ct'id'n of each and every block of the set of blocks an' which it will be observed, particularly y'vhii taken in conjunction with Figs. 5, 6 and 7, that each such'blcck designated as a whole by the numeral 10, coinpri s a rectangular body portion 11 of relatively small thickness ascornpared with its length and width and having an overall length including its projections greater than its width as seen frond Fig. 1. This body portion 11 ma 'be cornposed of any suitable or desired material, siich jections, recesses, ribs and grooves hereinafter described so that the useful life of the blocks shall be of long duration.

'Ihe body portion 11 of each such block, of which there may be any desired total number in the set; isprdvided with aprojeeti-on 12 at each end. These projec- 'tions 12 are centrally located with respect to the'vvidth ofthe block and each projection is provided on its upper and lower surfaces with a rib or the like 13 disposed ceritral ly thereof and longitudinally of the block. The-body portion 11 of each block is provided with a-recess 1 4 in each side thereof and centrally located with respect to the length of the block. The depth of each such recess -14-is equal to the length of a projection 12 and the end walls of each recess are provided with vertical and hori- -zontal grooves 15 and 16, respectively, the depth of each of which groovesis equal to the height of a rib1 3. The body portion 11 of each block is further provided with -a transverse centrally located aperture 17 which has a plurality of diametrically opposed sets of recesses 18 which; are also equal in depth tothe height of a rib 1-3.

As will be 'elear from Figs. 1 and 5-, in particular, there are four such sets of opposed recesses in eachblock and the total distance between them from the bottom of one groove to the bottom of the opposite groove is equal to the distance from the top of one rib 13 to the bottom of 'the bpposite rib 13 on the same projection 12.

Thus, it will be clear that each block is capable of being interfitted and interlocked with every other block of the set in a plurality of different positions, Consequently, another block of the set may be interfitted with the upper recess 14 of Fig. 1 by inserting the ribs 13into grooves -15 whereby a planar connection is made or, optionally, the ribs 13 may be inserted atright angles to grooves 15 by sliding them into grooves 16 and, as to the latter arrangement, interconnection may be made from either of two opposite directions. The same is true of the lower recess 14 of the block of Fig. l wherein the same interconnections may be made as described for the upper recess 14. In addition, the ribbed projection of a block, may be inserted intoany opposed pair of grooves 18- o f-eentral aperture 17 and in such-manner that-tirednher andsuchblock-niay-be inserted in suchoppos'e'deetsjbf grooves from either side of the receiving block. It will,

therefore, be appreciated that successive blocks may be assembled in a great variety of relative positions and that structures may be built up in many different directions.

Due to the fact that all the blocks are identical and that the various ribs and grooves have the dimensions set forth and illustrated, it will be clear that when the blocks are assembled they are firmly held in position and do not become readily or accidentally disassembled so that permanent or semi-permanent objects can be built up which have very considerable strength and rigidity so that they may be handled freely and moved about as may be desired without danger of coming apart. intentional disassembly may, however, be readily effected by following the reverse operations from those described for the assembly of the blocks. It is to be particularly noted that blocks according to the invention are capable of being assembled to form educational models, particularly architectural models, and that, although there is only a single shape and size for all the blocks, unusual structures can be produced as compared with known blocks. For example, Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate how blocks can be assembled (the showing in these figures being understood as partial or fragmentary) to form ascending or descending stair or step-like structures, and articles of furniture such as chairs may similarly be built. So far as I am aware, this is not possible with existing types of blocks. In Figs. 6 and 7,. I have shown how blocks can be interfitted and interlocked in the various relationships above described and, while these figures do not illustrate any specific objects, they do show how the blocks can be assembled in many different directions and angular relationships so as to enable a great variety of structures to be built therefrom. Thus, blocks can be interlocked in planar relationship to any desired length to form horizontal surfaces, such as floors or ceilings, can be interlocked in right angled or other angled relationships to form corners, pitched roofs, enclosures and the like and can be generally built up into a great variety of forms and structures dependent only upon the imagination and ingenuity of the user. Model houses of different designs, furniture, and buildings of many types can, for example, be readily constructed with the new blocks.

As above stated, the body portion of each block may be composed of wood, synthetic plastic or any other suitable material and, in addition, may be made either solid so that the block will be closed. While the construction r of the block of Fig. 2 will be clear from Fig. 1 and the foregoing description thereof, it is pointed out that block 10a likewise has the projections 12a ribbed at 13a and side recesses 14a forming walls which are grooved at 15a and 16a. Block 10a likewise is provided with a central aperture 171: having the grooves 18a arranged in diametrically opposed sets like grooves 18 of Fig. 1. The modified form of block shown in Pig. 2 has the additional advantage that it is extremely light and, therefore, is adapted for the formation of somewhat asymmetrical objects, if desired, without loss of balance or the exertion of undue stresses on the ribs and grooves.

In the further modified form of block illustrated in Fig. 3, block 1017 is preferably solid like block 16 but :as a somewhat different arrangement of ribs and grooves. In Fig. 3 the projections 12b are beveled or mite red at their upper and lower surfaces to provide ridges 1312 which have the same function as ribs 13 and 13iz heretofore described. The recesses 14b in the sides of block 1% form side walls having, in effect, grooves 15b and 16b analogous to those of Figs. 1 and 2 but of different physical construction involving beveled faces, as shown, while still permitting the projections 12!; and ridges or ribs 13b of like blocks to be interfitted either in a planar relationship or in a right-angled relationship, and the right-angled relationship may, as in the case of the previous forms of block, be made from either side of the block. The central aperture 17b is provided with octagonally arranged faces so constructed, dimensioned and angled that projections 12b and ridges or ribs 13b of like blocks may be interfitted in aperture 17b in four different ways just as in the case of the blocks of Figs. 1 and 2. The block of Fig. 3 has the advantage of ex treme simplicity of design and demonstratesthat the structural relationships and effects of the ribs and grooves of Figs. 1 and 2 may be achieved in an appreciably different fashion. The block of Fig. 3 also may be made of a softer or less durable material, if desired, without danger of wear or breakage of ribs and grooves.

It will, therefore, be clear that the invention fully achieves the aims and advantages herein set forth and provides for the first time a set of blocks wherein every block is of identical construction while still permitting great versatility of interconnection so that many and varied structures can be built of a'permanent or semiperrnanent character which can be transported or moved about whenever desired and, of course, in all the forms of block responding to the invention permanent assemblies may be made, if and when desired or required, by applying a suitable adhesive to the ribs and grooves at the time of assembly. Either permanent or semipermanent objects or structures can thus be readily pro duced by means of the invention.

The foregoing is presented as illustrative and not as liinitative since within the scope of the appended claims other modifications may be made without departing from the invention or losing the benefits thereof.

I claim:

1. A. set of identical blocks each block of which cornprises a rectangular body portion having ribbed projections at opposite ends, grooved recesses in opposite sides and a multi-grooved central opening therethrough, the ribs of each such block being interfittable and interlockable in a plurality of positions with the grooves of every other block of the set, whereby a plurality of such blocks'may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

2. A set of identical blocks each block of which comprises a rectangular body portion having projections at opposite ends, recesses in opposite sides and a central opening therethrough, the said projections and recesses being interfittable and interlockable in a plurality of positions with the recesses and projections of every other block of the set, the said projections being ribbed and the said recesses and central aperture being multigrooved, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

3. A set of identical block each block of which com prises a rectangular body portion having projections at opposite ends, recesses in opposite sides and a central opening therethrough, the said projections and recesses being interfittable and interlockable in a plurality of positions with the recesses and projections of every other block of the set, the said projections being ribbed and the said recesses and central aperture being multiple in opposite sides having grooved end walls and a central opening therethrough provided with a plurality of opposed pairs of grooves for the reception, in a plurality of positions, of a ribbed projection of another block of such set, the ribbed projections of one block being also receivable in a plurality of positions in the grooved recesses of any other block, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

5. A set of identical blocks each block of which has a plurality of interlocking positions with respect to every other block and each comprising a rectangular body portion having ribbed projections at opposite ends, recesses in opposite sides having grooved end walls and a central opening therethrough provided with a plurality of opposed pairs of grooves for the reception, in a plurality of positions, of a ribbed projection of another block of such set, the ribbed projections of one block being also receivable in a plurality of positions in the grooved recesses of any other block, the said body portion of each block being solid, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

6. A set of identical blocks each block of which has a plurality of interlocking positions with respect to every other block and each comprising a rectangular body portion having ribbed projections at opposite ends, recesses in opposite sides having grooved end walls and a central opening therethrough provided with a plurality of opposed pairs of grooves for the reception, in a plurality of positions, of a ribbed projection of another block of such set, the ribbed projections of one block being also receivable in a plurality of positions in the grooved recesses of any other block, the said body portion of each block being hollow, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

7. A set of identical blocks each block of which has a plurality of interlocking positions with respect to every other block and each comprising a rectangular body por tion having ribbed projections at opposite ends, recesses in opposite sides having grooved end walls and a central opening therethrough provided with a plurality of op posed pairs of grooves for the reception, in a plurality of positions, of a ribbed projection of another block of such set, the ribbed projections of one block being also receivable in a plurality of positions in the grooved recesses of any other block, the said body portion of each block being hollow and open on one side face thereof, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

8. A set of identical blocks each block of which con sists of a flat rectangular body portion having a greater length than width, a pair of projections extending from opposite ends of said body portion and disposed centrally of the width of the block, a rib on each of the upper and lower surfaces of each projection disposed centrall) thereof and longitudinally of the block, the opposite sides of the body portion being centrally recessed forming recess walls perpendicular to the recess bottoms and each said wall being traversed by a pair of grooves at right angles to one another and intersecting at the mid-points of such walls, and the said body portion being further provided with a central aperture provided with spaced grooves arranged as a plurality of sets of opposed grooves, all the grooves aforesaid having the same dimensional extent as the said ribbed projections, whereby a plurality of such blocks may be assembled in a variety of relationships to produce different articles therefrom.

9. A set of identical blocks in accordance with claim 8, in which the grooves of the central aperture of the body portion are arranged as four sets of grooves of which each succeeding set is at an angle of to each preceding set.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,894,061 Sanders Jan. 10, 1933 2,218,175 Mack Oct. 15, 1940 2,406,759 Glukes Sept. 3, 1946 2,529,321 Warren Nov. 7, 1950 2,633,662 Nelson Apr. 7, 1953 

